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WASHINGTON – Pete Buttigieg, the Indiana mayor making his first run for federal office, edged out Sen. Bernie Sanders in the latest dash for campaign cash, underscoring the potential for new voices in the crowded field seeking the Democratic nomination.

Sanders' campaign officials said Tuesday that the Vermont senator had raised $18 million in the second quarter of 2019, and had transferred about $6 million in from other accounts. Buttigieg's campaign had said this week it raised more than $24.8 million.

Buttigieg campaign officials said the mayor has about $23 million on hand; Sanders aides said they expect the campaign to report about $30 million in the bank.

The second-quarter numbers from Sanders and Buttigieg were the first reported by the more than two dozen candidates running for president. That means it is impossible to draw conclusions about how donors are reacting to the field or even who is leading the early fight for money that will be crucial to sustain campaigns through a long primary.

But one thing is clear: President Donald Trump continues to have a major advantage in pulling in cash for reelection. The Trump campaign and an affiliated account raised $54 million in the second quarter of 2019. That doesn't include another $51 million raised by the Republican National Committee, which is working closely with the Trump campaign.

Democratic presidential hopeful Mayor of South Bend, Indiana Pete Buttigieg speaks during the second Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season hosted by NBC News at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, Florida, June 27, 2019.(Photo: SAUL LOEB, AFP/Getty Images)

Millions of Americans tuned into the Democratic presidential debates last week, and several campaigns – including Sanders' – reported a bump in fundraising following the high-profile, two-night affair. Sanders campaign officials described their fundraising as "persistent, resilient and strong" and said the senator's cadre of small donors represented a "grassroots" movement rather than a reliance on wealthy donors.

The campaigns will file formal disclosure reports with the Federal Election Commission on July 15. Until then, none of the numbers announced by the campaigns can be verified.

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South Bend, Ind. Mayor Pete Buttigieg is given a chance to respond to criticism over his handling of a police shooting that is dividing his community.
USA TODAY

In a new Suffolk University/USA TODAY Poll of Iowa caucus goers, former Vice president Joe Biden continues to lead the field, backed by 24% of those who say they are likely to attend the Democratic caucuses. But Sen. Kamala Harris jumped to second place, at 16%, leapfrogging over Sanders, whose support sagged to single digits.